GOVT. UNDECIDED IN ARMY DIRECTORATE Kathmandu, 26 May:: Even as former Maoist combatants opting for integration are about to complete their NA training in a few week´s time, the government is yet to take a formal decision on the formation of the proposed joint general directorate under the NA, Chadani Hamal writes in Republica from Chitwan.. The comprehensive peace accord between the government and then Maoist rebels in 2006 had envisaged a joint general directorate comprising 65 percent NA personnel and 35 percent former Maoist combatants as part of the peace process. But the government is yet to take a decision on the mandate and the place where the proposed general directorate would be established even as the former Maoist combatants opting for integration are about to complete their nine-month training in the national army. The former Maoist combatants recruited in the NA for officer level posts will complete their training on Friday. Combatants recruited for other ranks will complete their training next month. NA has already created 4,471 new posts for the purpose, while only 1,423 former Maoist combatants are undergoing training. NA has already completed preparations on its part but government indecision has been adding to uncertainty over formation of the general directorate. According to NA source, the new general directorate´s headquarters would be based in Kathmandu, while a directorate would be established in Chitwan. Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works Surya Silwal, who is also a member of the committee formed to offer suggestions to the government in this regard, informed that NA will establish its second biggest office in Chitwan but the government is yet to provide the land for the purpose. “The committee is yet to hold a final meeting before forwarding its suggestions to the government. It is yet to take a decision on the handover of the seven cantonments where the Maoist combatants had been staying before integration,” said Silwal. Silwal also informed that a meeting of the six-member committee comprising secretaries of the home secretary, defense ministry, finance ministry and peace ministry to be held in the next two days would take the decision on the handover of the land occupied by the Maoist cantonments. NA Spokesperson Suresh Raj Sharma said they have already started preparations for the establishment of offices under the proposed general directorate. “We are only waiting for the government´s decision on the issue,” Sharma added. Nnnn